CBN Articles

The Canadian Baseball Network ( CBN ) promotes Canadian baseball players and teams from coast to coast. The Canadian Baseball Network features a draft list, ranking of the top Canadianbaseballprospects and featured articles.

WHO: There are generally three groups of players that are eligible for the MLB First-Year Player Draft:

High school players, if they have graduated from high school and have not yet attended college or junior college;College players, from four-year colleges who have either completed their junior or senior years or are at least 21 years old; and Junior college players, regardless of how many years of school they have completed

HOW TO FOLLOW: MLB Network will carry the first 77 selections live tonight from their studio in Secaucus, New Jersey beginning at 7pm ET with a preview show beginning at 6pm ET…Live coverage of all 40 rounds along with a Draft Tracker will be available at MLB.com…Baseball Canada will be providing live updates for drafted Canadians on Twitter (@baseballcanada) as they happen, along with a daily recap on baseball.ca.

CANADIAN MLB DRAFT FACTSResidents that meet the draft criteria from Canada, the United States, Puerto Rico and other US territories are eligible for the draft. Canada has been a “draft region” since 1991. Prior to that, Canadians playing in Canada were Free Agents, while Canadians playing at US Colleges or Universities were eligible for the draft.The first player drafted out of Canada was Jason Wuersch from Leamington, Ontario as the New York Yankees used their 11th round selection (282nd overall) to take the outfielder in 1991.A record 48 Canadians were selected in the 2002 MLB First-Year Player Draft, marking the highest total since Canadians became eligible for the draft in 1991.

The 2002 draft produced the highest ever selection for a Canadian born player as the Baltimore Orioles selected Surrey, BC native Adam Loewen with the fourth overall selection. The 2002 draft also produced the highest number of Canadians who went on to play in the big leagues including Jeff Francis (Rockies), Joey Votto (Reds), Jesse Crain (Twins), Chris Leroux (Devil Rays), David Davidson (Pirates), Luke Carlin (Tigers), Scott Matheson (Phillies), Russell Martin (Dodgers), George Kottaras (Padres) and Chris Robinson (Mets).

Ten years ago, in 2006, there were 38 Canadians selected with Victoria, BC native Kyle Orr the first Canadian off the board when the Los Angeles Dodgers drafted the Junior National Team alumnus in the fourth round. None of the 38 players went on to appear in the big leagues although Jimmy Van Ostrand (8th round, Astros) represented Canada at the ’08 Olympics and the ’13 World Baseball Classic. Tyson Gillies (25th round, Mariners) was a teammate of Van Ostrand’s at the WBC and won gold with Canada last summer at the Pan American Games in Toronto.

In 2015, 30 Canadians were selected including two players in the first round. The Miami Marlins made Josh Naylor (Mississauga, ON) the highest drafted Canadian position player ever when they nabbed the first baseman with the 12th overall pick, while right-hander Mike Soroka (Calgary, AB) was taken 28th overall by the Atlanta Braves. Both players are graduates of Baseball Canada’s Junior National Team program.

Since 2001, players that have played with the Junior National Team program have accounted for 290 draft selections.

Adam Morissette was born and raised in Ottawa, Ont. where sports were always a big part of his life whether it be baseball, hockey or football, including playing two seasons as centre for coach Pat Sheahan with the Queen's University Golden Gaels in Kingston -- Canada's first capital. Morissette has always have been passionate about baseball and has fond memories of attending Montreal Expos games with his father, Mike, and listening to his recollection of watching baseball in Montreal at Jarry Park and stories about Gary Carter, Rusty Staub and Steve Rodgers. Morissette could often be found in a near empty Lynx Stadium watching Joe Siddall, Bert Heffernan, Curtis Pride and Jamie Carroll soaking in a beautiful summer night at the ballpark. He was a member of the provincial championship Orleans Red Sox Little League teams also played with the Ottawa White Sox for the late Lyle Anderson and Todd Burke in OBA Midget and American Legion play and the Capital City Crushers (NCBL), primarily as a catcher. Has also spent time coaching Little League in Orleans and South Ottawa. He wanted to turn his passion into a career and enrolled in Sport Business Management at Algonquin College in Ottawa in 2007. After working for the Ottawa 67's OHL team as the Ticket Coordinator, Morissette jumped at the opportunity to become the Media and Public Relations Coordinator with Baseball Canada in 2010. He loves watching and reading about pro, college or amateur baseball and is a long-time subscriber to Baseball America. Morissette is thrilled about the idea of writing about baseball and is interested in covering any story that his car -- and time -- will allow him to cover.

Canadian Baseball Network

The Canadian Baseball Network ( CBN ) promotes Canadian Baseball players and teams from coast to coast. The Canadian Baseball Network features our Draft List, ranking the top Canadianbaseballprospects and featured articles.